Well-flowing apparatus



April 15,1930. R. M. HASKELL 1,754,946

WELL FLOWING APPARATUS 1 Filed Feb. 20, 1928 I Z TTORNE y "Patented Apr. 15, 1930 UNITED STATES" Brennan m. HASKELL, or snanroan,

PATENT OFFICE PENNSYLVANIA, ASSIGNOR OF THREE- FOURTHS TQ TIDE WATER OIL COMPANY, BAYONNE, NEW JEBSEY,'.A CORPO- lB-ATION OI NEW JERSEY WELL-FLOWIN G APPARATUS Application filed February 20, 1928. Serial No. 255,621.

My invention relates to well flowing apparatus and particularly to automatic con-- trol means forwellswherein a motive fluid such as air is introducedinto the well or well casing or chamber formin part of the well apparatus in order to disc arge liquid,

such as petroleum, therefrom.

The purpose of my invention is to provide an entirely automatic mechanism which a preferred embodiment-of'my invention.

n the accompanying drawing, reference.

is highly efficient in discharging wells which are'of such nature as make it necessary to- 'nism operating to control supply of motive fluid to the well casing and means to shift factors of control for cycle operation while the well is heading up. 4

Further objects, characteristics and features of my invention will be apparent from the following description taken in connection with the accompanying drawing which shows character 2 designates a well casing which is set into the ground and which has a shoe seat' ed on the cap rock 3 above the oil sand 4. Within the well casing is a receiver column 5, the lower end of which is enlarged to form a receiver chamber or trap 6. Receiver column 5 passes out through casing head 7 and is connectedto. a four-way coupling 8. The receiver column passes in tight union through the top of the casing head. The casing head seals off the well casing in such a manner as to permit pressure other than atmospheric to exist in the well casing. At the bottom of the receiver chamber is a foot valve '9 which may be of any desired type so long as it functions to permit oil to flow into chamber 6 when the pressure in the shot hole 10 exceeds the pres sure in chamber 6. In other words, the foot valve is a check valve opening into the receiver chamber.

Within the receiver column and the receiver chamber is an eduction'pip e 11 which passes upwardly through the receiver column and is open at the bottom to the inside of the receiver chamber and which serves for the discharge of liquid from the well. The eduction pipe passes through four-way connection 8 and is connected to a T-connection 12.

An oil discharge pipe-13 is connected to one- If desired opening of -T-connection 12. booster holes may be formed in eduction pipe 11 as indicated at 14.

Connected to casing head 7 is a gas connection 15 to gas field lines. In connection-15 is placed an orifice 16 of constant size which is so inserted in order to cause variations of ,gas presure 1n the well casing for the purpose of causing regulation as w ll presently appear. y

supply conduit for motive fluid such as air or other aerlform flowing medium such as natural or artificial, gas under pressure. Conduit 17 is connected to four-way connection 8 and is therefore in communication with receiver column 5 and chamber 6 so that air under pressure supplied through conduit 17 can close foot valve 9 and discharge oil accumulating in' chamber 6 through eduction pipe 11. In conduit 17 is a main valve v18, which is preferably of the balance typeas indicated. The'valve is arranged to close on downward movement. Avalve stem 19 attached to valve disks 20 is connectedtoa servomotor 21 comprising ahousing enclosing a servo-motor chamber 22 on one side of which is formed a diaphragm 23; Change of pressure in servo-motor chamber 22 causes movement of valve stem 19. A rise of pressure against the diaphragm 23 causes closing'of the valve. lVhen the pressure is released or falls below a predetermined value in chamber 22 weight 24 attached to lever 25 causes opening of the valve.

Reference character 17 designates a Connected to the conduit 17 on the supply side of valve 18 is an auxiliary conduit 26. Interposed in conduit 26 is av first auxiliary valve 27 which is moved to open and close by a piston 28 or other member whioh is movable by changein pressure. Piston 28 is in a chamber 29 formed in the bottom of houswhich is arranged to act against valve stem 33 and which can be adjusted to a predetermined value for operation by means of set-screw 34.

In the side of housing is a port to which is connected a conduit 35 which is connected in turn to a conduit 36. Conduit 36 is connected by means of conduit 37 with the servomotor chamber 22. A valve 38 or other restriction serves as a leak port for conduit 36,

conduit 37 and chamber 22. Thearrangement is such that an increase of pressure in the well casing transmitted through conduit 31 is able to raise piston 28 and the pressure 'fluid derived from the casing can pass through conduit 35, conduit 36 and conduit 37 to chamber 22. Ifjthe pressure is such that a pressure is built up in chamber 22 despite the small leak through valve 38, diaphragm 23 will move downwardly to close the main valve.

Set on top of the well casing is a housing 1 39. Housing 39 containsa relief valve 40 and a second auxiliary valve 41. These two valves may be connected to a common stem.

In the preferred form they are arranged so.

that movement of one valve moves the other, the stem being parted as indicated at 42. This arrangement is such that an upward movement of the lower part of the stem takes place before the upper part of the stem attached to valve 41 is moved. The movement of the valves is either simultaneous or substantially simultaneous. The valve stem attached to valve 40 is indicated at 43 and the continuation attached to valve 41 is indicated at 44. Valve stem 45 is connected to a diaphra m 46 formed on one side of a pressure cham er 47 which is within housing 48, which housing may form a lower part of the housing 39. Pressure chamber 47 is connected by means of conduit 49 to T-connection 12. On

i the underneath side ofhpressure chamber 47 is preferably of such type that it may be set I as a restricted orifice with relatively considerable precision. A conduit 52 is connected to housing 39, 48, on the one hand to the underside of valve 41 and on the other hand into chamber 47. I The upper side of valve 41 (the reference to the upper side contemplating the closed condition of the valve) is connected to conduit 26.- Conduit.52 may be considered as a part of the auxiliary conduit and an extension of" conduit 26. Valves 41 and 27 control flow through this conduit.-

A relief pipe 53 is connected to four-way connection 8 and is controlled by valve 40. The discharge-from valve 40 is indicated at 54. The arrangement is such that an opening of valve 40 relieves fluid pressure in receiver column 5 and chamber 6.

A conduit 55 is connected to chamber 47 and is connected to the junction of conduits 35 and 36 so as to communicate with these latter conduits; In conduit 55 is a check valve 56 adapted to open away from chamber 47, and to close automatically under pressure that may act in the reverse direction.

Springs 57 and 58 are arranged within housing 39 to act against valves 40 and 41,

respectively, serving to maintain the valves closed when the pressure in chamber 47 is below the predetermined value determined by the spring action.

The operation of the device is as follows:

When fluid in a well heads up, the volume of gas escaping from the well decreases due to the increasing resistance of the head of fluid over the gas-bearing sand. Conversely, the volume of gas escaping from the well increases as fluid is discharged from the well due to the decreasing resistance to the flow of gas. By restricting the escape of from the well by a constant sized orifice or orifices, the pressure or back pressure in the well varies as the'well is heading up or being discharged. I utilize this factor to control the discharging operation. Now assume that the well is heading up. The oil is rising in casing 2, in members 5 and 6, and in eduction pipe 11. Foot valve 9 is open at this time. As the liquid rises, the head of liquid becomesgreater and the pressure above the liquid decreases. When this pressure decreases beyond a predetermined value and is transmitted in decreased value through conduit 31, piston 28 moves downwardly, closing the port leading to conduit 35, and opening the valve 27. The predetermined value-for this step is determined by the adjustment of set-screw 34. 1 This closes oll' conduit 35. Leakage takes conduit 17 acting within members 5 and 6 causes a closing of foot valve 9 and serves to begin the discharge of oil, or other liquid I being pumped, through eduction pipe 11. The fluid now comes up through eduction pipe 11 and flows to the oil receiver or gas trap. When most of the liquid has been flowed out, it will come with greater velocity because there "is less liquid head above the expelling air, and either this increased velocity of theliquid or the pressure of the air itself causes an increase of pressure to be transmitted through conduit 49. Prior to the stage at present under consideration, chamber Opening of valve causes relief of pres- I mitted through the path 31, 35, 36, 37. vThe increase of pressure in the chamber 47 closes check valve and the fluid thus entering chamber 47 through conduit 52 is further transmitted through conduit 55,'past check valve 56, through conduits 36 and 37 and into chamber 22, where the increase of pressure causes a lowering of diaphragm 23 and a closure of valve 18.

Since relief valve 40 is open, the pressure in chamber 6 and conduit '5 is reduced and the liquid around chamber 6 falls and enters the same through foot valve 9, thus causing an increased volume of gas to try to escape through orifice 16 and consequently the pressure of gas builds up within casing 2 which in turn acts on piston 28 through conduit 31 and forces piston'28 upwardly, closing the valve 27 and admitting gas pressure through conduit 35, conduit 36 and conduit 37 to act on diaphragm 23 and maintain the main valve 18 in closed position. This movement of the piston 28 also closes the valve 27. Thus at this time the factor for keeping the main valve 18 closed is shifted from the pressure controlled device 46, 47 and the auxiliary valves 41 and 27 to the device 28 and associated parts' Flow of fluid is now out off through conduit 26 and the pressure reduces in chamber 47 ,causing the valves 40 and 41 to close, and the apparatus returns to the first described position Where a heading up of the well causes a reduced pressure which 7, permits lowering of piston 28. The valve "20, which was temporarily kept closed by auxiliary pressure fluid supplied through the path 26,'52, 55,-36, 37, is now kept closed by the pressure of well through line 3 While I have described one formof my invention, it is to be understood that I am not limited to the apparatus described but'that many variations are possible within the scope of the invention.

I claim: l

1; Well flowing apparatus comprising a well casing, means to supply; motive fluid to the wellto discharge liquid therefrom, fluid gas transmitted from the pressure'means adapted to shut off the'supply of motive fluid including a fluidpressure conduit and a valve for "controlling flow through said conduit, means to move said -valve in response to a state of discharge of the well and to retain the valve in such moved position, and means torelease the retaining means in response tochange of pressure'in the well casing. v

2; Well flowing apparatus comprising a Well casing, a trapped-receiver column, an eduction pipe, means to supply motive fluid to the well to discharge liquid from the receiver column thro ugh the eduction pipe, fluid pressure means adapted to shut off the supply of motive fluid including a fluid pressure conduit and a valve for controlling flow through said conduit, means to release the pressure of motive fluid in said receiver column and open'said valve in response to a state of discharge of the well, the last-mentioned means operating to cause the valve to be retained in open position and means to release the valve retaining means on rise of pressure in the well casing.

3. Well flowing apparatus comprising a well casing, means to supply motive fluid toand means to release the retaining means onrise of pressure'in the well casing beyond a predetermined amount.

4. Well flowing apparatus comprising a Well casing, a receiver column, an eduction pipe, means for closing off the receiver column and the eduction pipe from the well casing, means to supply motive fluid to discharge liquid through the eduction pipe, means to shut ofl? the supply of motive fluid including a fluid pressure conduit and a valve for controlling flow through said conduit, means to close said valve, a connection between the last'mentioned means and the eduction pipe, and means to close said valve,

when the pressure in the casing-rises beyond a predetermined value and to open said valve When said pressure falls below said value.

5. Well flowingfapparatus comprising a well, a main conduit for supplying motive fluid to the well to expel liquid therefrom, a main valve in said conduit, a servo-motor to operate said main valve, an auxiliary conduit for motive fluid for operating the servo-motor, a first valve in said auxiliary conduit operated in response to variations of pressure in the well casing, and a second valve in said auxiliary conduit operated in response to variations in state of discharge of the well.

(5. \Vcll flowing appa'atus comprising a main conduit for supplying motive fluid to the well to expel liquid therelrom, a main valve in said conduit, servo-motor to operate said main valve, an auxiliary conduit for motive fluid for operating the servomotor, a first valve, a second valve and a chamber arranged in series in said auxiliary conduit, means to move said first valve in accordance with pressure in the well casing, means to move said second valve in accordance with pressure in said chamber, an eduction pipe for discharging liquid from the well, and a conduit connecting said chamber with said eduction pipe.

7. \Vell flowing apparatus comprising a main conduit for supplying motive fluid to said well to expel liquid therefrom, a main valve in said conduit, a. servo-motor to operate said main valve, an auxiliary conduit for motive fluid for operating the servo motor, a first valve in said auxiliary conduit operated in response to variations of pressure in the well casing, and a second valve in said auxiliary conduit operated in response to variations in state of discharge of the well, the first valve being arranged to render'the second valve ineffective.

8. \Vell flowing apparatus comprising'a well casing, a receiver column' a-n eduction pipe, means for closing off the receiver column and the eduction pipe from the well casing comprising a foot valve, a main motive fluid conduit for supplying motive fluid to the receiver column, a main valve in said conduit, means controlling said main valve, said means being responsive to variations in gas pressure in the well casing so that the valve stays closed while the well is heading up and is opened on predetermined decrease of pressure in the casing, a fluid pressure device, a relief valve for relieving pressure in the well casing, a first auxiliary valve and means whereby the same is opened on decrease of pressure in the well casing, a second auxiliary valve, means whereby the second auxiliary valve and the relief valve are simultaneously opened by increase of pressure against said fluid pressure device, conduits forming a passage for auxiliary fluid through the auxiliary valves to supply fluid under pressure to said fluid-pressure device and to the means which controls the main valve, a connection between said fluid pressure device and the eduction pipe, a throttle valve and a check valve in the said connection, and means to cause the closing of the first auxiliary valve on use of pressure 1n the casing.

9. lYell flowing apparatus, comprising a well casing, a conduitlor supplying pressure fluid-pressure means with a source of pressure fluid. two valves in said conduit, means whereby the operation of one of said valves is governed by variations in the gas pressure and means whereby the other of said valves is governed by a state of discharge'of the well.

10. In well flowing apparatus. a conduit for supplying pressure fluid to the well, a main valve for opening and closing said conduit, fluid-pressure means controlling said valve, means providing two paths for the application of fluid pressure to said means, means governed by variations in pressure communicated from the well for opening and closing one 01 said paths, two valves in the other path, means whereby one of these valves is governed by fluctuations in pressure communicated from the well, and means whereby the other of these valves is governed by a state of discharge of the well.

11. WVell flowing apparatus comprising a well casing, a receiver column, an eduction pipe, means for closing oil the receiver column and the eduction pipe from the well casing comprising a foot valve, a main motive fluid conduit for supplying motive fluid to the receiver column, a main valve in said conduit, means controlling said main valve, said means being responsive to variations in gas pressure in the well easing so that the valvestays closed While the well is heading up and is opened on predetermined decrease of pressure in the casing, a fluid-pressure device, a relief valve for relieving pressure in the well casing, a first auxiliary valve and means whereby the same is opened on decrease of pressure in the well casing, a second auxiliary valve, means whereby the second auxiliary valve and the relief valve'are simultaneously opened by increase of pressure against said fluid-pressure device, conduits forming a passage for auxiliary fluid through the.auxiliary valves to supply fluid under pressure to said fluid-pressure device and to the means which controls the main valve, a connection between'said fluid-pressure device and the eduction pipe, a check valve in the said connection, and means to cause the closing of the first auxiliary valve on rise of pressure in the casing.

12. iVell flowing apparatus comprising a well casing, a receiver column, an eduction pipe, means for closing off the receiver crease of pressure in the well casing, asecond 1 gas pressure in the well casing so that the valve stays closed while the well is heading up and is opened on predetermined decrease of pressure in the casing, a fluid-pressure device, a relief valve for'relieving-pressure in the well casing, a. first auxiliary valve and means whereby the same is opened on deauxiliary valve, meanswhereby the second auxiliary valve and the relief valve are simultaneously opened by increase of pressure against said fluid-pressure device, conduits forming a passage for auxiliary fluid through the auxiliary valves to supply fluid under pressure to said fluid-pressure device and to the means which controls the main valve, aconnection between said fluid-pressure device and the eduction pipe, and means to cause the closing of the first auxiliary valve on rise of pressure in the casing.

13.. In well-flowing apparatus, a well-casing, an eduction pipe, a conduit for supplying aeriform fluid to the well to flow liquid out through said eduction pipe, valve means for opening and closing said conduit, fluid-pressure means for controlling said valve means,

means'responsive to changes of pressure in the well-casing and connected with said fluidpressure means for causing said valve means to be kept closedwhile such pressure is above a predetermined value and to be opened when the pressure decreases, and means connected on the one hand with the upper part of the eduction pipe and on the other hand with said fluid-pressure means to bring about closing of said valve means in response to increased pressure in the upper part of said 14. In well-flowing apparatus, an eduction pipe, a conduit for supplying aeriform fluid to the well to flow liquid out through said eduction pipe,- a valve for opening and closing said conduit, fluid-pressure means controlling said valve, conduits forming apath for auxiliary fluid connected with said fluid pressure means, two auxiliary valves in said path, a fluid-pressure device also connected in said path to be supplied with auxiliary fluid when said auxiliary valves are open, one of said auxiliary valves being associated for simultaneous operation with said fluidpressure device, means for controlling the other auxiliary valve in accordance with changes of pressure in the well, and a connection for communicating pressure from the upper part of the eduction pipe to open the 'first-mentioned auxiliary valve.

15. Inwell-flowing apparatus, an eduction pipe, a conduit for supplying aeriform fluid to the well to flow liquid out through said eduction pipe, valve'means for opening and closing said conduit, fluid-pressure means controlling said valve means, conduits iorming apath' for auxiliary fluid connected with said fluid-pressure means, two auxiliary valves in said patina fluid pressure device also connected in said path to be supplied with auxiliary fluid when said auxiliary valves are open, a connectionbetween said device and the upper part of the eduction pipe, one of said auxiliary valves being associated for simultaneous operation with said fluid pressure device, means whereby the other of said auxiliary valves is controlled in accordance with changes of pressure due to changes of condition in the well, conduits providing a path for'flow for aeriform fluid from the well to said fluid-pressure means, and means for controlling the latter path in accordance with changes of pressure due to changes of condition in the well.

16. In well-flowing apparatus, an eduction pipe, a conduit for supplying aeriform fluid to the well'to flow liquid out through said eduction pipe, valve means for opening: and closing said conduit, fluid-pressure means controlling said valve means, conduits forminga path for auxiliary fluid connected with said fluid-pressure means, two auxiliary valves in said path, a fluid pressure device also connected in said path to be supplied with auxiliary fluid when said auxiliary valves are open, a connection between said device and the upper part of the eduction pipe, one of said auxiliary valves being associated for simultaneous operation with said fluid pressure device, conduits providing a path of flow for aeriform fluid from the well to said fluid pressure means, and a device connected with the latter path for controlling flow through said path in accordance with variations of pressure in the well, the other auxiliary valve being operatively connected with said device.

17. In well-flowing apparatus, a well casing, an eduction pipe, a receiver column provided with a trap in the lowerpart of the well, a conduit for supplying aeriform fluid to the receiver column to flow liquid out through the eduction pipe, a main valve for opening and closing said conduit, servo-motor means for said, valve, conduits forming a path from the interior of the well casing to said servo-motor means, said path having a restricted outlet, a fluid-pressure controlled valve in said'path, conduits forming a path for auxiliary fluid connected with the servomotor means, two auxiliary valves in said path, one of said-auxiliary valves being associated for simultaneous operation with said fluid-pressure controlled valve, a fluidpressure device also connected in the second-named path to be supplied with auxiliary fluid when said auxiliary valves are open,

the other of said auxiliary valves being associated for simultaneous operation with said fluid-pressure device, and a connection for communicating pressure from the upper part of the eduction pipe to open the lastmentioned auxiliary valve.

18. In well-flowing apparatus, a- Well casing, an eduction pipe, a receiver column provided with a trap the lower part of the well, a conduit for supplying aeritorm fluid to the receiver column to flow liquid out .through the eduction pipe, a main valve for opening and closing said conduit, servo-motor means for said valve, conduits forming a path from the interior of the well casing to said servo-motor means, said path having a restricted outlet, a fluid-pressure controlled valve in said path, conduits forming a path for auxiliary fluid connected with the servomotor means, two auxiliary valves in said path, one of said auxiliary valves being as-* sociated for simultaneous operation with said fluid-pressure controlled valve, a fluidpressure device also connected 111 the secondnamed path to be supplied with auxiliary well, a conduit for supplying aeriform fluid,

to the receiver column to flow liquid out through the eduction pipe, a main valve for opening and closing said conduit, servo-motor means for said valve, conduits forming -a path from the interior of the well casing to said servo-motor means, said path having a restricted outlet, a fluid-pressure controlled valve in said path, conduits forming a path for auxiliary fluid connected with the servomotor means, two auxiliary valves in said path, one of said auxiliary valves being associated with said fluid-pressure controlled valve, a fluid-pressure device also connected in the second-named path to besupplied with auxiliary fluid when said auxiliary valves are open, the other of said auxiliary valves being associated for operation simultaneously with $3101 fluid pressure device, a connection for communicating pressure from the upper part of the eduction pipe to 0 en this auxiliary valve, and a relief valve or relieving pres sure in the receiver column also associated for operation with said fluid-pressure device.

20. In well-flowing apparatus, an eduction pipe, a conduit for supplying motive fluid to the well to flow liquid out through said eduction pipe, main valve means for opening and closing said conduit, fluid-pressure means for controlling said valve means, conduits providing a path for gas from the well to the main valve-controlling means, conduits providing a path for auxiliary fluid to the main valve controlling means, a valve in the gas path, two valves in the auxiliary fluid path, means whereby the valve in the gas path and one of the valves in the auxiliary fluid path are controlled in accordance with changes of pressure in the well, means whereby the other of said two valves will be held open by pressure of the auxiliary fluid when the two valves are open, and means whereby this valve is opened by pressure communicated from the upper part of the eduction pipe. A

RICHARD M. HASKELL. 

